On this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar Podcast, host Elena welcomes Catharine Montgomery, founder of Better Together Agency, for an unfiltered conversation about resilience, career pivots, and the ongoing challenges of building a purpose-driven business. Catharine opens up about her journey from growing up in Alabama, launching her career at large PR agencies, and pursuing her passion for social impact—all while navigating the harsh realities of workplace racism, toxic organizational cultures, and the unexpected pitfalls of working with investors.Catharine’s story is one of grit and reinvention: after experiencing blatant racism at a so-called progressive agency and successfully negotiating a buyout, she found herself at another crossroads when her business partners became obstacles rather than allies. Through each challenge, Catharine leaned on community, mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to using communications for social good. Together, Elena and Catharine unpack lessons learned about recognizing toxic work environments, the importance of knowing your worth, and staying grounded when starting over—sometimes more than once.Tune in for candid reflections, practical insights for founders (especially those working with investors), and real talk about resilience, authenticity, and the power of building a business that stays true to its mission. Whether you’re navigating your own career transitions or simply looking for inspiration, this episode will remind you that your story—and your impact—aren’t defined by your setbacks, but by how you choose to rebuild and move forward.Time stamps:00:00 "Agency Career Journey Shift"05:26 Starting a Social Impact Agency09:23 "Quitting Better Together"12:17 Realizing Microaggressions and Racism13:30 HR Challenges in Addressing Racism17:40 Structural Racism Needs Addressing21:41 "Diversity Misunderstood in Slack"25:17 Investor Decisions and Due Diligence26:25 "Stay Involved in Business Finances"30:09 Building Awareness for Community Impact33:31 "Reflecting on Starting the Agency"36:18 Reflecting on Entrepreneurial Beginnings39:26 Embracing Change and AI GrowthConnect with Catharine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnmontgomery/Website: https://thebettertogetheragency.com/Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wijIf you like this video, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Your support is extremely valued! #careercoaching #careertips #careerresilience #futureofwork #careerstrategy